Electrical treating apparatus, especially for sterilization



F. S. SMITH ELECTRICAL TREATING APPARATS. ESPECIALLY FOR -STERILIZATION Original Filed Aug. 2, 1932 `4 Sheets-Sheet 1 NW WN NN Oct. 1.1, 1938. F. s. SMITH E 2,132,705

ELECTRICAL TREATING APPARATUS, ESPECIALLY FOR STERILIZATION Original Filed Aug. 2, 19252 L{Sheets-Sheet 2 i 94 lIl l F. s. sMm-l ocr. 11, 193s..

ELECTRICAL ITREATING APPARATUS, ES1EGIALLY FOR STERILIZATION 4 She'ets-Sheet 5 original Filed Aug. 2, 152

i l -IL i l I 1| 1 l INVENTOR f'w/v/Q//v 5. fri/Uff M, Me am ATTORNEYS Oct. l1, 1938. F. s, sMrn-l 2,1.32Q7U6 ELECTRICAL TREATING APPARATUSVESPECIALLY FOR STERILIZATION Origpal Filed Aug.4 2, 1932 4 Sheets-Shed.` 4

ATTORNEYS Patented oa. 11, 193s UNITED STATES ELECTRICAL TBEATING APPARATUS, ESPE- CI ALLY FR STERILIZATION i Franklin s. smith,

August z, 1932, serial No.

Original application 627,291. Divided and New Haven, Conn.

this application October s, 1934, serial No. '147,440

- 24 claims. (ci. er1- 192) This invention relates to apparatus which is especially adapted for the electrical sterilization of products, particularly for the destruction of insect life in food and other products and this application is a division of my application, Serial No. 627,291, led August 2, 1932, now patent No. 1,975,805,1ssued'0ct. 9, 1934.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide a thoroughly practical and dependable elec-- trode construction and driving means therefor, adapted to be subjected vto highl voltage and t'o produce a corona-like discharge in the treatment zone through which the products to be sterilized are passed. Another object is to provide a construction of the above-mentioned character that is well adapted to meet the various and varying conditions met with in practical use. Another object is to provide a simple and practical mounting for such an electrode structure as wellas to provide a dependable and reliablecircuit or circuit connections therefor. Other objects will be in part obvious or in part pointed out hereinafter.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements, arrangements of parts as will be exemplified in the structure to be hereinafter described and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the following claims. l

In Vthe accompanying drawings, in which is shown one of the various possible embodiments of my invention,

Figure 1 is a fragmentary front elevation of the complete sterilizing apparatus, certain parts being, however, shown diagrammatically and other parts being shown in central vertical section;

Figure 2 is a vertical central sectional view, on an enlarged scale, showing one of the electrode structures and driving motor and mounting therefor;

Figure 3 is a plan view, on an enlarged scale, substantially asI seen along the line 3-3 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a detached fragmentary vertical sectional view through a portion of the electrode structure, showing also one electrode member in front elevation;

Figure 5 is a horizontal sectional view on an enlarged scale as seen along the line 5-5 of Flgure 4;

Figure 6 is a horizontal sectional4 view on an enlarged scale as seen along theline 6-6 of Figure 4;

Figure '7 is an isometric view of a piece of insulating tubing showing the manner ofproducing a portion of the electrode supporting structure therefrom:

' Figure 8 is a detached fragmentary plan view of the rotor and stator construction embodied in the electrode structure of Figure 2, and

Figure 9 is a detached fragmentary front elevation of the rotor of Figure 8.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views. in the draw- 'ings.

Referring first to Figure 1, in which I have shown a side elevation of the complete apparatus of my above-mentioned parent application, omitting, however, certain parts and showing certain other parts diagrammatically and'to which parent application reference may be made for a detailed 'description of the diagrammatlcallyindicated and omitted parts, I have indicated at =I0 the frame of the machine provided at its ends with upstanding pairs of stands 24-25 respectively supporting a driving drum 2l and an idler or supporting drum 29 about which extends. a conveyor belt 28 made of any suitable non-conductive materialand provided with a belt-supporting structure which may comprise insulating side beams 64-65 (see also; Figure 3) supporting a at elongated rectangular sheet of insulating material 62, preferably made of dilecto or laminated bakelite" which is in intimate contact with the lower surface of the upper side of conveyor belt 28 and indirect supporting relation thereto; this sheet of insulating material 62 may, as disclosed in my parent application, be interrupted throughout the two treatment zones in order to receive, also in belt-supporting relation, plates of .pyrex glass or `fused quartz, one for each treatment zone, and in Figures 1 and 3 two such plates 61 and 68 are shown.

- Accordingly, the conveyor be1t28, when driven to move the upper side thereof from the right toward the left, las viewed in Figure 1, may support and move the goods to be sterilized, illustratively packaged goods, such as packaged cereals, l pour, or the like, indicated at C in Figure 3, for electrical action thereon, the details of which action are described and analyzed in my abovementioned parent application.

As the packages of product to be treated are moved along the conveyor from the receiving'end to the discharge end of the apparatus, they pass beneath the electrodes 9! and 92 and through treatment zones associated therewith, as will appear more fully hereinafter.

The electrodes, illustratlvely two, 9| and 92 are Vpreferably supported in a common plane substantially parallel to the upper conveying surface of the belt 29m substantial alinement above the center line of the belt. Electrodes 9| and 92 are maintained in spaced relation above conveyor beit 28 by metallic brackets 93 and 94, respectively, which in turn are suitably supported in a manner more fully described hereinafter.

Each electrode 9| and 92 is preferably provided with upstanding stem -portions 95v and 96, respectively, which are received within suitable. hole portions 99a and 94a, respectively, provided in brackets 93 and 90 and permanent fastening therein is preferably effected by wedge-shaped i pins 91 and 90 passing through suitable holes provided in bracket 93, stern 95, and bracket 96 and stem 96, respectively.

For reasons as will appear more fully hereinafter, the brackets 93 and 90 are preferably mounted on a horizontal frame forming an acute angle with the common plane of the electrodes 9| and 92.

In order that the electrodes 9| and 92 may be iirmly and rigidly supported by the brackets 93 and 99, respectively, the brackets are preferably of unsymmetrical construction, the one, 94, being of an increased length since it extends across the -wider portion of the above-mentioned angle between planes. Similarly, the stem portion 96 of the electrode 92 associated with the longer bracket 90 is preferably of an increased length to give added rigidity to the connection withthe longer bracket.

Electrodes 9| and 92 are preferably of analogous construction for reasons of manufacturing economy so that a detailed discussion of electrodes 92 only will be given. A

` Referring now more particularly to Figure `2, there is shown at 99 an inverted dish-shaped housing preferably of cast aluminum, having high electrical conductivity, with a central bumped body portion 99B and a fiat rim portion 99".

Fastened to the inverteddishshaped housing 99, by suitable screws |00, is a dish-shaped housing portion also preferably of cast aluminum having a central downwardly extending body portion i0!a and a ilat outwardly extending rim portion IUI.

The outer rim portion llb of the lower portion of the housing preferably includes two con- The various electrode members |02 are preferably of identical construction comprising (see Figure 4) a main cylindrical body portion |02, an upper iiat circular head portion |021. and a lower conical sharp tip portion |02. The various electrode members are preferably made of nickel steel tubing worked into theform indicated and highly polished, particularly adjacent the extreme tip portions thereof, to give smooth unbroken surfaces free from irregularities and small projections;` the advantages. to be derived from this construction will appear more fully hereinafter.

The various hole portions I0 le arranged in two concentric rings about the concentric ring portions |0| and |0|d, respectively,` of the lower portion of the housing, are preferably inclined at a common angle of 50 or 60 with respect to a plane normal to the axis of the electrode; the center lines of the holes and consequently the center lines of the various electrode members individually associated with the holes lie in planes substantially tangent to either of the two concentric ring portions of the lower electrode housing. Thus, the extreme tip portions |02d of the various electrode members lie along two concentric circles and preferably in a common plane.

Electrode 92 is preferably rotated, in a manner to be more fully described hereinafter, in such a direction that the upper head portions of the electrode members are' leading with the extreme tip portions trailing; for the electrode 92 the rotation, as seen looking ,down yon the electrode (see Figure 3) is in a counter-clockwise direction. An individual electrode member v(see Figure 4) illustratively moves in a direction from the left to right with its upper portion leading and with its lower tip portion trailing. A horizontal section taken' through the main portion of the electrode member (see Figure 5) is elliptical in form and through the tip portion substantially egg- 'shaped in form (see Figure 6) thus giving a substantially stream-line construction to the slanting electrode member which effects a minimum disturbance of the ambient air, the desirability of which will appear more fully hereinafter in considering certain electrical actions of the apparatus, as the electrode is rapidly rotated as in'dicated above.

While various numbers of electrode members may be used in the construction of an electrode depending upon the diameter of the rotatable electrode, the number of rings of concentric electrode members, the size of electrode members, and the spacing between them, I conveniently employ electrode members spaced from each other y in a circle so that their projected lengths are approximately equal to the distance between these projections.

The diameters of the illustratively two concentric circles in which the electrode members are arrayed are preferably such that the projection of the outer circle falls beyond both edges of the conveyor belt 28 (see Figure 3), while the projection of the inner circle overlaps and just falls outside of the path of travel of the packaged product or articles to be treated; the diameter of the larger circle is preferably slightly greater than the width of conveyor belt, while that of the smaller circle is slightly less.

For a conveyor belt of about 14 inches in width, the outer ring of electrode members is about 16 inches in diameter including illustratively 9 electrode members of 4 inches in length spaced 40 apart, while the inner ring of electrode members is about 101A inches in diameter including illustratively 9 electrode members 4 inches long spaced 40 apart and alternating with the electrode members of the outer ring.

The various highly polished, illustratively nickel-steel, electrode members are removably positioned in the Various above-mentioned holesy provided in lower portion |0|b of the electrode housing and so held that their various iiat head portions |02b are snugly received within countersunk portions |0|h (see Figures 3, 2 and 4), by contact with the lower surface of the flat rim portion 99b of the upper portion of the electrode housing; upper and lower portions of the housing being held in assembled relation by'screws With this construction the various electrode members may be removed and replaced by other electrode members of the same kind or by electrode members of a different kind, v longer or shorter, with the extreme tip portion sharper or more blunt, or of a different material, all with a minimum disturbance of the other portions of the apparatus. Furthermore, such a construction gives a good firm support to the various electrode members which in addition is well adapted to transfer the heat produced at the tip portions of the electrode members to the body of the electrode where it is readily dissipated; the construction is also ofVV highn electrical conductivity and light in weight, all of which make for a high operating efficiency and an economy in manufacture.

The electrode housing 99 with its associated electrode members |02 is rotatably mounted. as indicated above, on` the shaft 96, the upstanding or stem end ofwhich, as above-mentioned, is suitably secured to bracket 94. i,

Shaft 96 is formed with a central enlarged portion' 90a and with an adjacent narrow portion 96b which snugly receives the in'ner race |03 of the ball bearing assembly |03.

The lower end of the inner race |03 of the ball bearing assembly firmly abuts a shoulder portion 96 of the shaft between the expanded and more reduced sections 9GB and 96h, respectively, and is held in firm abutting relation by the retainingring |04 threadedly engaging the shaft as at 96d;` thus, the ball bearing assembly |03 is securely mounted on the shaft 96.

The upper portion 99 of the electrode housing is provided with a central hole 99c in` thick wall construction 99e adapted to snugly receive the outer race |031 of the ball bearing assembly.

' The upper part of the hole portion provided in.

the upper part of the electrode housing is of a similar diameter so as `to provide a shoulder which rests upon the upper end of the outer race |03b of the ball bearing assembly. Thus, the electrode housing 99|0| is rotatably mounted on the shaft 96 with its weight sustained by the ball bearing assembly |00.

To give a dirt-tight, dust-tight and greasetight fitting between the rotatable housing 99-|0| and the xed shaft 96, the upper part of the upper portion 990i the electrode housing is recessed as at 99c1 and fitted with the felt washer |05, the inner edge of which lightly contacts the outer periphery of retaining ring |00.

The fitting is completed by dust plate |06 in the form of a iiat ring which is received withinl the recessed portion 99d of the upper portion of the housing and rests upon the felt Washerlii; the plate and washer are secured to the housing by suitable screws |01. Dust plate |06 is preferably so mounted on the rotatable electrode housing as to clear fixed shaft 96 and'its associated retaining ring or nut to allow free rotation of the electrode.

' ring-shaped laminated armature core il I.

shaft stand 1s adapted to' lbe rotated about its l central axis with minimum frictional resistance in the bearings and minimum windage impedance (due to the effective stream-line construction of the various electrode members).

Driving energy for rotating the electrode circular end plates I |21 of an appreciably'thicker iron. The core is provided with a central hole portion ||2 which receives a reduced portion 96f of the shaft; the core is pressed onto the shaft prior to the assembly of the electrode until the'upper end plate |I2b abuts a shoulder portion 968 of the shaft after which the end of the reduced section 9Bf is mushroomed as at 96h to press against the lower end plate I2b and holds the laminated core in a compact assembled relation on the shaft.

The outer periphery of the core ||2 is slotted as at H2X and wound with-the illustratively single phase 6-pole winding |I3, in -the manner apparent` from Figure 2 andas is better indicated in Figure 8, diagrammatically. Its slotted periphery may carry shading coils S (see Figure 9) for better self-starting characteristics.

One end ||3a of the Winding is brought out and grounded to the core as at |I2d, while the other end .|I3b is taken up through a channel portion 961'provided in the supporting shaft 96 where it is suitably connected'to conductor H0 associated with bracket 90.

Concentrically spaced about the field ||0 and adjacent the` outer periphery of core H2 is a Armature is tightly received within recessed portions of the upper and lower portions of the electrode housing with the upper and lower edges adjacent the outer periphery abutting the upper and lower portions of the electrode housing. Thus, the induction motor armature is securely fastened to the electrode housing with its core properly alined with that of its associated eld and with a proper uniform air-gap intervening.

The armature III preferably includes a squirrel-cage induction Winding, illustratively of the copper bar and brazed end-ring type. Such an armature winding is per se known; it is diagrammatically indicated in Figure 8 at ille.

It may at this point be noted that induction motor |09 is received within electrode housing 99|0| allowing a suitable air space between the field windings and the nearby Walls of the elec trode housing. The relatively thin walled sections of the upper' and lower portions of the electrode housing rapidly transfer the heat produced in the motor core and windings (and partially given up to the air enclosed within the housing) to the outer surface of the electrode I housing where it is rapidly conducted away or dissipated by the ambient air through which the electrode housing rotates upon energization of the induction motor |09, in a manner more particularly described hereinafter, 'illustratively by way of conductor H4 and the metallic bracket 94, shaft 96 and eld core ||2.

Mechanical driving energy is imparted to housbers |02 causing the latter to whirl along their prescribed circular paths in a counter-clockwise direction, as above-mentioned, at a speedof approximately 4500 feet per minute for the outer ring of electrode membersl and 3000 feet per minute for the inner ring for the dimensions i1- lustratively given above.

' Electrode 9|, as above-mentioned, is analogous in construction to electrode 92 with these diilerences,however; the induction motor associated with electrode 9| drives the latter in a clockwise direction and accordingly the electrode members H5 associated with this electrode are slanted in the opposite direction to those associated ywith Ytheoppositelygrotating electrode V92, withr their trode 92.

Electrodes 9| and 92 are rotated in opposite directions with the extreme tip portions of their respective electrode members whirling in, preferably, a common plane spaced above and substantially parallel to the upper vconveying surface of the belt 28. 'Ihese electrodes are adapted to be maintained at a high electrical potential; illustratively 150,000 volts with respect to ground, the manner and purpose of which will appear more fully hereinafter.

In the upper electrode means, electrodes 9| and 92 are maintained in spaced relation above the conveyor belt 28 in the manner indicated by the .electrode supporting structure generally shown at H6 (see Figure 1) which preferably f'includes an insulating framework ii'i which is supported by metallic brackets H8 and H9.

Insulating support i l1 (see Figure 7) is prei'- 4erably cut from a large tubular piece of insuv lating material, such as .dllecto or laminated bakelite h a v i n g appreciable mechanical strength in additionto its high electrical insulation characteristics in the form indicated. From a single short length of tubing, two such insulating supports H1 andV |20 may be conveniently cuthaving -ring portions H1* and |20, respectively, and loop portions Hlb and and |20 and |20, respectively, located on diametrically-opposite sides of the'respective ring por--y tions ||`|a and I 20". Thus, two individual insulating supporting members are obtained from a minimum length of insulating tubing with a consequent saving inmaterial ,and a reduction in the cost of manufacture.

' Referring now back to Figure 1, the insulating supporting member H1 is preferably mounted symmetrically about a vertical axis with its ring portion Hi'e lowermost and substantially horizontal about which are mounted, at diametricaliy v opposite points, metallic brackets 93 and 94.

the ring portion ,H1B or the insulating support which thus sustains a good portion `of the weight' of the electrodes and furthermore prevents displacement of the electrodes and metallic brackets m about a horizontal axis; the brackets are fasaisavoe tened to the insulating support by suitable screws |2|. v

-To prevent bending, twisting or warping of the lower horizontal ring portion lllEL of the insulating support, there are provided a pair of parallel tubular conducting compression members |22 and |23 (see Figure 3), the ends of which are snugly received within suitable holes provided in brackets 93 and 94. v

Holes are provided at 93d and 944 to receive opposite ends of the conducting tube 22 in brackets 93 and 98, respectively, and similarly holes are provided at 93 and 94 to receive opposite ends of the tubular member |23 in the respective brackets 98 and 94.

.The upstanding loop] portions il'lb and ||l of the insulating supportare secured to metallic brackets H6 and H9, as mentioned above, the lower edges of the extreme upper l'portion of the loops lllb and II|1 resting on toes ||8a and H9", respectively. preferably made integral with the respective brackets I8 and H9; insulatingsupports and brackets are preferably bolted together to give a rigid and secure fastening Well adapted to withstand twisting or turning aboutthe horizontal axis as a result of lateral stresses accidentally applied to either the electrode means. the electrodes or their supports.

Brackets H8 and H9 are provided with offset threaded upper portions H8h and H9", respectively, which are slightly inclined to| the vertical by an amount equivalent to the incline of the conveyor, or in effect substantially .perpendicular .to the upper conveying surface ofthe conveyor belt 28. v To give a free and unencumbered mounting for the electrode supporting structure. brackets H0 and |I9 are offset outwardly, 'the one H8 being oiset toward the left, as seen in Figure 1, while the other, 'Il 9,1 is offset toward the right where theyA respectively engage parallel threaded shafts or elevation screws |26 and |25 rotatably mounted in C-brackets i and i2?, respectively, which in turn are Illustratively welded to the upper and lower horizontal iron frame sections 22|8fand 22d-I8, respectively.

C-brackets |26 and |21 are preferably so constructed that elevation screws |24 and |25, respectively. iournaled or rotatably mounted therein are maintained perpendicular toV and in substantial alinement with the upper part of the conveyor'belt 28 and consequently in substantial parallel relation with the axial mountings of electrodes '9| and 92.

Bevel gears IMA-|29 are controlled by a handfwheel which is geared, through suitable gearing (not showm" to the two bevel gears IZB- |429 in order thereby to control the raising and lowering of the electrode structures.

It may at this point be noted that as the electrode members are raised or lowered into positions moreremote from or more adjacent to the conveyor, the motion is purely translatory in a direction perpendicular tothe upper conveying surface of the belt; the raising or lowering of the electrodes is effected withoutchanging their positions either longitudinally or-transversely 'oi' the conveyor. Some of the peculiarv advantages derived from this construction are more fully dealt with in my above-mentioned parent application. y l

Y -*'-i"70 To give a rm and rigid support for the electrodes and at the same time to maintainJthem at their.,high electrical potentials, all without undue over-all size and weight of insulating material, the support ill is cut in the form and aisavoc vided for a desired height and width of insulating support, or for a desired length of insulating i material calculated to withstand the high poten'tials employed at a maximum permissible sur- .face leakage, a support of minimum over-all size and weight is achieved with a consequent saving in material and economy in manufacture.

Cooperating with the electrodesl andA 92 of the upper electrode means and spaced immediately beneath the upper part of conveyor belt 28 and the insulating sheeting B2 of the conveyor belt supporting structure 51.(Figure l) are arranged cooperating electrodes. The lower electrodes are preferably in the form of two right cylinders |4| and |42 substantially coaxial with the electrodes and 92, respectively. A suitable number oi preferably identical electronic conduction devices |43 serve as electrode members to` concentrate the discharge. The extreme outside diameters of the cylinders |4| and |42 of electronic conduction devices are preferably equal to or slightly less than the diameters of the circles traced by the extreme tip portions of the outer rings of electrode members ||5 and |02,

respectively, as they are whirled above the conveyor (see also Figure 2), while the inner diameter of the cylinders or electronic conduction devices (as determined by the extreme diameters above-mentioned less twice the cross-sectional diameter of the individual electronic devices comprising the cylinders) are substantially equal to or greater than the circular paths traced by the extreme tip portions of the inner rings of electrode members M5 and |02 on rotation of electrodes 9| and 92, respectively.

Preferably, the electronic conduction devices |43 are in the form of elongated cylindrical tubes of diameters substantially equal to the distance between the inner and outer rings of electrode members ||5 and |02, and of such length that they are adapted to be conveniently received within the space between upper and lower sides of belt V20; illustratively the length is ive or six times the diameter.

The various electronic conduction devices Miti are maintained in cylindrical groups 50i, and |02 spaced from electrodes 0i and 02 respectively, as indicated above, by suitable racks litt and i155 and their associated supporting ybkes it and |41, respectiveiy, preferably bolted to the side wall portions ttl and 65 of the conveyor belt supporting framework (see Figure 3).

These cylindrical groups iti and Mit are respectively rotated about generally vertical axes, but axes which are, more specically, normal to the plane of the belt 20. `The axes, therefore, are respectively in line with the path ci movement of the electrode structures ti--QZ when the latter are adjusted by manipulation of the hand4 wheel and respectively substantially coincident with the axes of the electrodes 0|02- is for the details of the mounting and driving `of these groups |4| and |42 of electronic conduction devices I43, reference ls to be made to my abovementioned parent application.

Coacting with the metallic racks orv bases |44|45 is a condenser plate |14 (Figure l) positioned and insulatingly supported, as described in my above-mentionedapplication, as by the insulating beam H0 and electrically connected to the racks I'44-I45 which in turn are electrically connected to the electrodes of the electronic conduction devices |43, all as described in my abovementioned application. Plate |14 is spaced from the rear vertical metallic wall of the housing I0 and forms therewith an air condenser, the metallic wall being in connection through the frame and related parts with the grounded side 200 (Figure l) of the high voltage winding 20| of a,

high frequency transformer whose primary winding 202 is connected to a suitable source 203 of high frequency current on the order of 640 cycles per second. The other terminal of the high voltage winding is carried as by conductor 204 4 down through the high voltage insulating terminal 205 where it is connected by a suitable conductor 206 to a cross-supporting tube |22, thus impressing upon the electrodes 9| and 92 the high voltage high frequency energy, with actions and coactions as fully described in my copending application, conduction devices |4| and |42 being driven at a relatively low speed and in opposite directions by the crossed insulating belt |69 driven from the motor |68 supported as by standard 24.

Within the transformer casing 206 (Figure l) is a low voltage transformer whose primary winding 201 receives energy from a source 208, such as a 110 or 220-volt power circuit and whose secondary winding 209 is insulated from the primary winding 201 for the high voltage of the transformer winding 20|, having one terminal connected by conductor 2|0 to conductor 204 and through the latter to the one or grounded side oi the windings H3 (Figure 2) of the motors. The other terminal of secondary winding 209 is carried by a conductor 2|| down through the insulating terminal 205 and by way of insulating conductor 2|2 (see also Figure 3) is extended into the tube member |22 where it is connected to the conductors lili leading respectively to the conductors ||3b (see Figure 2) to the other side of the windings H3. Thus, driving energy is supplied to the two motors.

As for details of other aspects of the construction and as for the details of the action and coactions of the various parts, reference is to be made to my above-mentioned copending application of which this is a division.

As many possible embodiments may be made of the above invention and as many changes might be made in the embodiment above set forth, it is to -be understood. that all matter hereinbefore set forth, or shown in the accompanying drawings, is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. In an eiectrical treating apparatus of the type having a support member and a plurality oi electrodes, an insulator comprising a segment of a cylinder which segment includes a ring-like portion and loop-shaped portions attached to said ring-like'portion at spaced points, said ring-like portion providing means for mounting said electrodes at points upon said ring-like portion intermediate the points at which said loop-shaped portions are attached and said loop-shaped portions being mounted upon said support member so as to insulate and support said electrodes from said support member.

2. In anelectrical treating apparatusof the type having a support member and a plurality of electrodes, an insulator comprising a segment of a cylinder which segment includes a ring-like portion and loop-shaped portions attached to said ring-like portion at spaced points, said ringlike portion providing means for mounting said electrodes at points upon said ring-like portionintermediate the points at which said loopshaped portions are attached and said loopshaped portions being mounted upon said support member so as to insulate and support said electrodes from said support member, and rigid reinforcing means extending between the points at which said electrodes are mounted.

3. In electrical treating apparatus a fixed shaft, an electrode rotatably mounted upon said shaft, an electrical motor the stator of which is mounted upon said shaft and the rotor of which is mounted upon said electrode, said electrode comprising a bottom plate having apertures near the periphery thereof and an upper cover member, electrode members removably mounted in said apertures, said electrodes being held in place by said cover member.

4. In electrical treating apparatus a xed shaft, an electrode rotatably mounted upon said shaft, an electrical motor the stator of which is mounted upon said shaft and the rotor of which is mounted upon said electrode, said electrode comprising a bottom plate having a double row of apertures around said plate near the periphery thereof and an upper cover member, electrode members removably mounted in said apertures, said electrodes being held in place by said cover member.

5. In electrical treating apparatus of the type wherein a product being treated is positioned adjacent an electrode structure within a treatment zone and is subjected to the discharges which result from impressing a high potential upon said electrode structure, in combination electrode means, a main support, a secondary support comprising a stud-like member secured to said main support in juxtaposition to saidA electrode means, an electrode, meansior' moving `said electrode comprising the stationary and rotary elements of a motor respectively flxedly and rotatably carried by said member, andmeans for holding a product to be treated in the space between said electrode means and said electrode. v

6. An apparatus like that of claim 5 in which the stud-like member is provided with a channel through which driving energy is supplied to the motor.

7. An apparatus like that of claim 5 in whichv the motor is an electric motor and the stud-like member is channeled and carries therethrough conductor means to supply driving energy to the motor.

8. In electrical treating apparatus, in combitatably by said stud member.. one above the stationary element and the other below the stationary element. f 10. An apparatus like that of claim 8 in which `a terminal or the motor is connected to the stud member, the latter being channeled, another terminal of the winding having connected thereto a contacter. leading through the channel in said studmember.

11. An apparatus like that of claim 8 in which aisaroe means are provided peripherally of the housing for supporting the electrode means.

12. An apparatus like-that of claim 8 in which means are provided detachably supporting the electrode means.

13. An apparatus like that of claim 8 in which the housing is. in two separable parts between and by which the rotary element of the motor is secured.

14. An apparatus like that of claim 8 in which the housing has a portion extended over the end of said stud member opposite from said support, thereby totally enclosing the motor elements and said stud member excepting for the portion of ythe latter secured to the support.

15. An apparatus like that of claim 8 in which the housing is in two parts, onepart being apertured to have one end of said stud member extend therethrough for securing to said support and the other part extending over the other end of said stud member.

16. An apparatus like that o claim 8in which the axis of rotation of' the electrode means is substantially vertical, the electrode means being shaped to project in the direction of said axis. l

17. In an .electrical treating apparatus, an,

electrode for a discharge comprising a movable carrier having openings therethrough for reception of removable electrode members, said electrode vmembers being tilted so that their axes trail from the face of said carrier with respect to the-rotation thereof, and electrode members each having a portion adaptedto limit the movement of the electrode into the opening,

la portion tted in said opening and a tapered portion substantially within a geometrical iigure formed by projection of the cross-sectional sh'apeof` the smallest part o! the opening along the axis but beyond the end of the opening.

18. In anelectrical treating apparatus. an elecisA trode fora discharge comprising a movable carrier having openings therethrough for reception of removable electrode members, said electrode members being tilted so that their 'axes trail from the face of said carrier with respect to normal rotation thereof, and electrode members each having a head portion adapted to limit the movement of the electrode through said opening, a substantially cylindrical portion fitted in said opening, and a substantially conical portion substantially coaxial with the cylindrical portion.

" 19. In electrical treating apparatus of the type wherein a product being treated is positioned adjacent an electrode structure within a treatment `zone and is subjected to the discharges which re- 'sult from impressing a high potential upon said electrode structure, in combination, a high voltage discharge circuit having spaced v.means between which discharge takes place, said spaced means including a support, a discharge electrode and means comprising a socket in said support for removably mounting said discharge electrode in said support.

, 20. In electrical treating apparatusr in combination, a stud-like member having mounted thereon the stationary element of a motive means, a cooperating rotatable element for said motive means, a two-part frame-like means having portions between which said rotatable element is received, means for securing said two parts together and for thereby clamping said rotatable element therebetween, bearing means for rotatably supporting said frame-like means and hence said rotatable element with respect frame-like means relative to said stud-like member.

' 21.`In electrical treating apparatus, in combination, a stud-like member having mounted thereon the stationary element ot a motive means, a cooperating rotatable element for said motive means, a two-part frame-like means having portions between which said rotatable element is received, means for securing said two parts together and for thereby clamping said rotatable element therebetween, bearing means for rotatably supporting said frame-like means and hence said rotatable element with respect to said l stud-like member, th'e'two parts otsaid framelike means having juxtaposed portions which are separable when said two parts are separated, and electrode means carried by said irame-like means and held in place by said two separable portions.

- 22. In electrical treating apparatus, in combination, a stud-like member having mounted thereon the stationary element of a motive means, a cooperating rotatable element for said motive means, a two-part frame-like means having portions between which said rotatable element` is received, means for securing said two parts together and for thereby clamping said rotatable element therebetween, bearing means for rotatably supporting said frame-like means and hence said rotatable `element with respect to said stud-like member, one oi' said parts of said frame-like means having. a socket, and an electrode seated in said socket, the other of said parts of said frame-like means having an extension coacting with saidsocket to hold said electrode therein.

23. In electrical treating apparatus, in .combination, a stud-like member having secured thereto the stationary element of a motive.

means, a two-part housing rotatably carried by said stud-like member, said housing having therein the coasting rotatable element of said motive means. an electrode. one of said parts having seat-forming means in which a portion of said electrode is seated and the other of said parts having a portion coaeting with said seatforming meansto hold saidy electrodegagainst removal from the latter, and means for holding said two parts together.

24. In treating apparatus oi' the type wherein a product being treated is positioned adjacent an electrode structure within a treatment zone and is subjected to the discharges which result from impressing a high potential upon said electrode structure, the combination of, a supporting shaft, a motor having stator means mounted upon said shaft and rotor means mounted to move about said stator means, and electrode means mounted to move with said rotor including a hollow shell and a discharge portion having thin metallic walls.

FRANKT-IIN S. SMITH. 

